Schalke 04 vs. SC Freiburg preview: The debut of Thomas Reis
In his first game in charge, Thomas Reis faces a difficult challenge to impress the desperate Veltins-Arena crowd with SC Freiburg roaring into town.
Schalke 04
Schalke sit last in league play with only one league win recorded through 11 games. Former Bochum manager Thomas Reis was named their new head coach this week and he has quite the uphill climb to escape the relegation zone.
The newly-promoted side are on a five-game losing run, as they need Simon Terodde to step up his efficiency in front of goal. Veterans Maya Yoshida and Alexander Schwolow aren’t playing up to their expectations in a defense that has already allowed 26 goals.
In his press conference, Reis shared that, "We know that it is not an easy situation, but that makes the task interesting. You have a great stadium, great supporters; it is a brilliant and really big club. I feel really at home in the Ruhr and have shown that I fit in here."
It's been a chaotic week for an injury-filled Schalke team with Sporting Director Rouven Schröder also deciding to leave the club.
Team News
Sepp van den Berg, Marcin Kaminski, Ibrahima Cisse, Leo Greiml and Rodrigo Zalazar are all out with injuries. Jordan Larsson is questionable for the game.
SC Freiburg
Freiburg’s midweek draw to Olympiacos in the Europa League was more than enough to make the Breisgau club winners of their group. Christian Streich's side are also playing some admirable football in league play with one of the best defensive records in the Bundesliga.
Following their game on Thursday, Lukas Kübler stated that, "I don't even know what's going on. I'm just enjoying the moment and I'm happy." While Streich added that it was a, “Special night for our club.”
Kübler has played really well in the last few weeks and is giving youngster Kiliann Sildillia a run for his money at right-back. St. Pauli summer signing Daniel-Kofi Kyereh has filled in nicely for the injured Roland Sallai, while Augsburg signing Michael Gregoritsch is one of the biggest aerial threats in the league.
Freiburg have defeated Schalke more times in the Bundesliga than any other current top-flight team in their history.
Team News
Sallai, Jonathan Schmid and Kimberly Ezekwem are out, while Manuel Gulde is unlikely to feature.